Chapter 26
Darren's POV
Arriving at the entrance of Mira's house, I stopped, taking a good look in. The Song's sure as wealthy....well aren't we all? ' Song' weird surname.
“Okay... Time to do this..” I say to myself as I drive to her gate. The security guards asked me a few questions before letting me in. I stop and the entrance of her house before coming out of my car and walking in...
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Mira's POV
I had already seen his car from up the window, and I was giddy with excitement. I hurried over to pick my coat and running over my looks one last time, I smiled satisfactorily before leaving my room. As I descended the stairs I could already voices. Looks like he was discussing it with my parents. Hmm... Sweet.
Once I got to the living room he looked up and when his gaze caught mine, he broke into a smile. I smiled back and blushed slightly.
“Ah, there she is.” My dad said when he saw me. “Why don't you come over.” He gestured at me, I did, and stood beside me.
“I see you've met my parents,” I say to Darren.
“I sure have.” He replied still staring at me. It was ridiculously hard to tear my gaze from his.
“Mira has told a lot of things about you.” My mom spoke up.
“Has she? Well, I hope they aren't bad things....”
“No they're not but who knows... She could be hiding something.” I chuckled nervously.
“I'm pretty sure I'm not hiding anything"
“Me too.”
“Okay... Then I guess I'll leave you two then. Remember, bring her home before 9:00 pm!” My dad warned gently...
“Yes sir.” He replied but I could feel a hint of sarcasm in it. He hid it in an innocent smile and walked up to me.
“So, you're ready?”
“I think so....” I mutter, the butterflies in my tummy on a rampage. He looks especially cute today. He brings out his hand.
“So, shall we?” I smile before taking his hands and walking out with him. “Bye Mom, bye dad,” I call out behind me.
"Bye, dear.” I hear them say. We got into the car had Darren started up the engine.
“Soo, where are we going?”
“You'll have to find out.” He says with a smile. We drive off my house.
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It's an amusement center that opens up at night. They were tons of people in it, most especially young couples and children. I watched in awe.
“You like it?” He asks staring at me.
“Of course I do. Thanks, Darren.”
“You're welcome... Now let's stop standing here and play on the rides.” He says and drags me with him. I giggle as I follow behind me. From the racing track to the bouncing castle, it was fun-filled. We got out of the bouncing castle feeling jittery and completely exhausted but above all, in a good mood.
“Wait here. I'll go grab us a drink.” He says out of breath.
“Okay..” I look around while waiting for him to come back. Eventually he with bottles of fruit juice and something more.
“Cotton Candy?” He asks as he stretches one to me.
“Yes please. I've run out of energy.” I collect one from him and start eating it slowly.
“Hmm, taste's good... Which is normal.” I add. He smiles and stares at me for a while.
“What is it? “He gestured to the side of his cheek. “What? Is there something in there?”
“Yeah... You know what, I'll just do it myself.” Closing his juice makes to remove the cotton candy that had stuck to the side of my face brushing my face in the process. I shudder slightly.
“Um, thanks...” I mutter. He smiles.
“There's a little something on your face as well,” I say too.
“Really? Can you help me with it?”
“Sure “I inch closer to remove the imaginary thing on his face, tickling him in the process. He laughs out loud and pulls me closer and pulls me in for a kiss but then someone clears her throat, interrupting us.
We both turn to look at the intruder and guess what?? It was Celine! How'd did she find us?? Damn it! She was smirking as if she knew what we were about to do, and she stopped us just in time. I could feel my anger rising.
“Wow!” She exclaims. “Looks like you are a lot of fun here. I wonder why I wasn't invited.”
"Celine... Wha... What are you doing here??” He asks in a strangled manner.
"Huh...I came to see you.”
“How'd did you find us?” She batted her annoying lashes as if she didn't get what Darren said.
“Of course, I asked your parents where'd you gone, and they said here.” I heard Darren cuss underneath his breath. He looked very angry but didn't want to show it.
“Please excuse me... I'll be right back,” Darren says before forcefully dragging Celine out of earshot. I watch as they argue.
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Darren's POV
“And what do you think you're doing here?” I ask the second were out of earshot.
“Take it, easy tiger. I just came to see you that's all.” She answered nonchalantly.
“Well as you can see, I'm with someone. So I'll suggest you go home.” I gritted.
“I didn't come all the way here to be dragged home by you. Better still let me join in, that'll make the two of us.” She suggested. I could feel my temper rising and I couldn't say anything.
“Look, my parents and your parents know I'm here... With you. I go home now, and they'll know something's up. And I take it you haven't introduced Mira to them have you?”
Dammit! She found a loophole.
“They find out you are with someone else, and they are going to freak out. Nobody wants that to happen.”
I sighed defeatedly and released her from my grip. "Thank you.” She mutters.
“So why don't you tell Mira over there that I'll be joining in the party... Or better still let me do it myself.”
“Don't you even dare....” I growled.
“Okay...”
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Mira's POV
“Why isn't she leaving?” I ask when Darren returns. He looks at me before sighing.
“Look, something came up. Celine will have to stay with us for a while.”
“What!?” I whisper yell. “That is so not happening... I can't stay here with Celine.” I glanced at Celine, and she was smiling brightly, waving at me. It's obvious this is her plan. I scoff and look at Darren.
Darren seemed to be shocked.
because he didn't do anything.
“Look I have no choice....”
“Well, I do have a choice,” I say. “I'm leaving so you can have time with Celine.”
“What? Don't you think you're taking it a little too far?”
“No, I'm not. I don't just think I can stay here knowing that Celine is one foot away from me. Thanks for the outing, but I think I have to go now.”
“Mira, wait!” I stop and turn. “What?”
“At least let me drive you home,” he said defeatedly.
“Don't worry, I'll call my driver. “I say and walk away.
Walking past Celine I stop and whisper, glaring hard at her.
“I know you're thinking you've won now, frankly I'll have to give that to you but in the end, Darren is still going to be the one to make the choice, not us.”
“Frankly speaking, I don't think Darren as much of that choice.” She replies, smirking. I smirk back.
“We'll have to wait and see, won't we?” And with that walk out of the amusement center, taking in deep breaths.
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Celine's POV
Ah ah! I win again. Go, Celine, you're such a genius, I say to myself before walking up to Darren who stood there dazed. Then, acting all innocent, walked up to him, a brow raised.
“What happened? Why'd she leave?”
Darren slowly lowers himself and glared hard at me. If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under.
“Well, I hope you are happy now... Like happy.” He mutters dangerously.
“Come on Darren, don't be that hard on yourself..” I begin to say but he walks out on me.
“Darren, wait! What about the amusement center?”
“You can play by yourself...” I hear him say before leaving the center. I watch him go before smirking to myself. If I can't have you, then no one else will.... I'll make sure of that.
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Darren's POV
Getting into my car, I slammed the door behind me and laid my head on the steering wheel. Still not satisfied, I began hitting the wheel till I got bruised. This is the same reason I didn't want to get transferred to Ambrose high school. For once in my fucking life, why can't I get what I want?? Celine had to show. up now of all times?
But then there's Mira, I can't give up on her just yet because what I think I feel for her might be way more than just plain old-like. The problem is, how do I do it without causing more problems.
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Natalie's POV
I had already called up Xander and right now I just waiting for him to show up. The bell jingles and the much-expected guest walk in. He spots me within the crowd and walks upright to me.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hi.” He answers. He looks at me as if trying to figure out something on my face then makes to speak.
“Look, I know I've been a real jerk last night, I just wanted to say I'm sorry and I hope you're not angry....”
“I'm not angry at you,” I stress. He glances at me.
“Wait... You're not?”
“No. Maybe a little disappointed but not angry. In fact, I called you here for a different reason.” He inches closer to me.
“And what's that?” I sigh, then stare at him full in the face. “It's about your brother, Xavier,” I tell him. He stops for a second before relaxing back in his seat.
“What about him?”
“Before I go into details, I'd like to say one thing. I've seen brothers fight a lot, from mine to my friends. From something as simple as leaving a pencil on the wrong table to things way worse than things I could ever imagine but if there's one they don't do, is to give up on each other. I need you to listen to Xavier. Things might not be the way you've been made to believe.”
“It's not as easy as you think Natalie.”
“I know it's not. have a little faith in him. Don't give up on him just yet. Things might not be what you think.”
He looked away before asking.
"In order words, you're saying Xavier couldn't have done it, aren't you?”
“Possibly. Hear his side of his story.” I mutter.
It was a little hard to watch him just sit there not saying anything and for a split second, I almost thought he wouldn't agree.
“Okay, I'll try...”
“Don't try, do it,” I say but it sounds more of an order than a request. Xander glances at me, surprised. I raise my brows.
“Are you ordering me right now?” He asks, amused.
“I'm not, but I will pretty soon. So will you do or not?”
“No!”
“Pretty please? With a cherry on top?” I asked sweetly. He glances at me and scoffs.
“Okay fine I'll do it. Are you happy now?”
“Yes....”
“You're such a manipulator. "
“You're welcome,” I say and giggle.
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Xander's POV
After my hang out with Natalie, I drive home and walk into the house. There's no one in the living room so I'm guessing Xavier is in his room. I'm planning to give what Natalie said a shot. I get into the hallway, ready to go into his room when something stops me. It's a piano solo, could Xavier be in the music room?? I walk there and I noticed the music room door is open, meaning he's there. Just as am about to enter, I take time to listen to what he's playing.
It's a sad piano solo. Xavier rarely plays the piano except his emotions are bottled up and he can't hold it anymore and this one sure is super sad. He keeps playing, oblivious to the fact that he's not the only one in the room. He plays on a while with me listening to it.
And that's when it hits me. I don't know Xavier anymore, even though we practically live in the same house. We've drifted so far away from each other I've forgotten how it felt to be able to be close to him again, to be able to talk to him, not argue like we usually do. Maybe Natalie was right, maybe I've given up on Xavier.
The solo ended soon and without a word, Xavier stood up from the piano and was heading towards his room. Since I was at still the doorpost, I immediately looked for a place to hide. I watched him Walk into his room, quietly closing the door behind him.
What the hell has happened between us??